Loblolly pine is also known as old-field pine, short leaf pine and North Carolina pine. This species is one of the most important and widely cultivated timber species in the southern part of the United States, especially in the Carolinas. It is used for furniture, pulpwood, plywood, and sometimes, for Christmas trees. The tree is also quite invasive, where it can be found in old fields. It is also reported to hybridize with several other pines.

Carolina was divided into North Carolina and South Carolina during the Civil War. Following one of the fiercest battles of the War, North Carolinian soldiers felt they had been let down by soldiers from another state. When they were returning from the front, the other soldiers taunted them…"Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?" "No, not a bit; President Jeff Davis has bought it all up," replied the North Carolinians. "Is that so; what’s he goin’ to do with it?" Some quick thinking North Carolinian supposedly replied, "He’s gonna put it on you’ns heels to make you stick better in the next fight. Confederate General Robert E. Lee heard of the incident and said, "God bless the Tar Heel boys." Whether or not this story is true, North Carolina remains the Tar Heel State.